AC Milan are hoping that Charles De Ketelaere will show his quality at the U21 European Championships this summer and rekindle his confidence.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, plenty has changed in a year. Twelve months ago, De Ketelaere was the number one target for the Italian champions Milan who believed he was the perfect fit for Stefano Pioli’s system, for the role chosen and for the project.
He arrived for a fee of €32m plus €3m in bonuses after a season with 18 goals and 10 assists in 49 appearances for Club Brugge. However, in his first season with Milan he managed zero goals and one assist in 40 games.
De Ketelaere’s name will be among the most discussed this summer. He is still viewed as an important investment and an asset because of his age and potential, while Brahim Diaz’s farewell could play in his favour, but he could also leave for the right offer too.
The U21 European Championships could be key, which will start in Romania and Georgia on 21 June. His nation Belgium will meet the Netherlands, Georgia and Portugal in the group stages and starting off well would be important for the 22-year-old.
It is an international showcase that provides a spotlight under which to shine again to approach the coming months with a new spirit. Perhaps to make Pioli smile and rekindle Milan’s hopes, or perhaps to raise his value given the summer window is looming.
Even I have to admit he looked perky in his last game. But can he keep it up/get better?
I’ll be the first to admit that cdk made me more frustrated than any other player in milan this season and there’s two big reasons why.
First is that he would make a pass and just stand there like he admired he made it, would never carry on his run or run into space. His off the ball movement was horrible. You come on as a sub with fresh legs and your lightly jogging around and not putting pressure on your opponents.
Secondly, for his size to constantly get muscled off the ball, lose aerial battles every time was just to hard to comprehend.
I know it was his first year and its very difficult to make the switch to a higher league and we got glimpses of the talent he has but the most important thing he needs to discover is his mental strength. He had zero motivation, zero grit and that partially puts blame on pioli.
If the right offer comes in I wouldn’t be against selling him but I wouldn’t be upset to give him another season hoping he grows because he has the characteristics to be a great player. If he fails a second season he has to go.
It’s starkly different from how he played at Brugge and Belgium. Pioli is using wide player as AM… Have you seen his goal against $umma? He actually can run and has good pace.